As he was jailed today, the judge said he must also serve a three-year driving ban on his release from prison.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Quita Passmore, of the Harrogate Investigation Hub said: "Wells-Smith acted completely selfishly that night. He paid no regard to the safety of any other road users and chose to drive in a dangerous and irrational manner. The fact that he then went on to leave the scene of the crash without any thought to the people he had caused serious injury to, only adds further insult.

"I hope the sentence that has been handed to him today provides some level of closure to his innocent victims who have since been recovering from the serious injuries his behaviour inflicted upon them."

The 48-year-old male driver of the Corolla was taken to Leeds General Hospital with broken ribs, sternum and cheek bone.

The 72-year-old driver of the Isuzu was taken to Harrogate District Hospital with lacerations to his head and tongue and internal bleeding, while his 69-year-old passenger suffered cuts to her shins.